AKIN DARBEAU, DEVON MILLER AND ALISON CHEUNG

PERIOD 1

Medieval Weapons

History of Weapons

Swords/DaggersBattering RamBattle AxeCrossbow

MaceCatapultCanonsLance/Spear

Swords/Daggers

Swords developed in 3000 – 3500 B.C. Double bladed Sabers, broad swords and claymores

Daggers 2 sided blades Common to most soldiers Close combat

Battering Ram

Often made of treesTake down walls and doorsBuilt in an enforcement

Battle Axe

Common weaponUsed for chopping or throwingClose combatCrescent shaped bladeCould be double sided

Crossbow

Wooden stock, generally made from yew ash, hazel, or elm and coated with glue or varnish

Bow made of wood, iron or steelCross bow string was made of hempLong distance combatCould kill a knight in full armor

Mace

Close combat weapon and from horsebackShaft made of wood or metalHead was made of stone, iron, bronze or steelCheap and simple to make

Catapult

Ballista – similar to a giant cross bow, used tension

Trebuchet – consisted of a lever and sling and capable of hurling giant stones to 300 yards

Mangonel – boulder or rocks lunge from a bowl shaped bucket at the end of the one giant arm

Medieval catapults were used by the Chinese, the Greeks and the Romans.

Catapult

BallistaTrebuchet

Mangonel

Lance/Spear

Used as a thrusting or throwing weaponJavelin = GreeksPilum = RomansBlade was razor sharp and pointyVersatile, cheap to produce and easy to use

Medieval Armor

Plate Armor – personal armor made from large metal plates Worn on the chest and sometimes whole body Worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans first

By the end of the 14th century, full plate armor had been developed

• Very expensive to produce• Nobles and generals would wear lavishly decorated

armor• Helmets - protected knights from head injuries • Shields – used to protect a knight from direct

blows from weapons

Armor

References

Byam, Michele. Arms & Armor. Gallimard, Paris: Afred A. Knopf, 1988. Print.

Kindersley, Inc. The Visual dictionary of military uniforms. New York: Dorling Kindersley ;, 1992. Print.

"Middle Ages Weapons." Middle Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. <http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-weapons.htm>.